Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 1: Introduction

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan 2014-2019 Supporting Coastal Communities through Science This Management Plan has been developed in accordance with NOAA regulations, including all provisions for public involvement. It is consistent with the congressional intent of Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, and the provisions of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management, October 17, 2005. Acknowledgements This Management Plan was produced by current and former staff members of the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve: • Nancy Church, School and Interpretive Program Coordinator • Mary-Kay Fox, Former Assistant Research Coordinator • Alison Leschen, Former Reserve Manager • Jordan Mora, GIS/Research Technician • Joan Muller, Education Coordinator • Sheri Proft, Fiscal Administrative Assistant • James Rassman, Stewardship Coordinator\Acting Manager • John Singleton, Forest and Parks Supervisor • Tonna-Marie Surgeon-Rogers, Coastal Training Program Coordinator • Laurie Tompkins, Volunteer and Events Coordinator • Christopher Weidman, Research Coordinator The ad-hoc Reserve Advisory Committee met to help focus the Reserve’s priorities for the next five years. The committee included representatives from MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, MA Coastal Zone Management, Wood Hole Sea Grant, NOAA, Narragansett Bay NERR, NERRS Science Collaborative, Cape Cod Commission (the local Regional Planning Agency), Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and several local environmental non-profits and community organizations. In addition, a Market Analysis/Needs Assessment for K-12 Education, and a CTP Needs Assessment were completed in 2011-12. Results of those studies have been incorporated into Goals and Objectives of this plan. Public Comment Period: July 1- 31, 2014. Please direct all comments to [email protected]. Table of Contents: Volume I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 1 OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................................................. 1 ACCOMPLISHMENTS ..................................................................................................................................11 PLAN HIGHLIGHTS .....................................................................................................................................13 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................15 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF PLAN...................................................................................................................15 Public Process for Developing the Plan ..............................................................................................16 RESERVE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE .......................................................................................................17 Introduction to the National Estuarine Research Reserve System .......................................................17 Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation ..............................................................21 HISTORY OF WAQUOIT BAY RESERVE .......................................................................................................22 Boundaries ...........................................................................................................................................23 Boundary Change ................................................................................................................................24 Description of properties and assets ....................................................................................................29 ASSETS OF WAQUOIT BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE ..................................................32 Natural Resources ................................................................................................................................32 Archeological, Historical, and Cultural Resources .............................................................................34 CHAPTER 2: UNDERSTANDING COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS ...........................................................36 OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................................................36 RESEARCH AND MONITORING PLAN [§921.50] .........................................................................................38 NERRS Science Collaborative .............................................................................................................38 System-Wide Monitoring Program ......................................................................................................39 Monitoring at WBNERR ......................................................................................................................40 Waquoit Bay Reserve Research and Monitoring Objectives ................................................................43 CHAPTER 3: FROM KNOWLEDGE TO ACTION: IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND FOSTERING MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS .........................................................53 OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................................................53 RESERVE SYSTEM EDUCATION PLAN [§921.13(A)(4)] ..............................................................................55 THE WAQUOIT BAY RESERVE EDUCATION PROGRAM ..............................................................................55 Teacher Training and K-12..................................................................................................................55 Education Program Objectives ............................................................................................................58 Community Education ..........................................................................................................................61 RESERVE SYSTEM COASTAL TRAINING PROGRAM ....................................................................................66 THE WAQUOIT BAY RESERVE COASTAL TRAINING PROGRAM ..................................................................66 Coastal Training Program Objectives .................................................................................................69 Identifying and Planning Outreach to Target Audiences .....................................................................75 Leveraging Training and Education Activities ....................................................................................76 Other Community Engagement ............................................................................................................77 CHAPTER 4: PRACTICING WHAT WE PREACH: LAND AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT 79 OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................................................79 LAND MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................................................79 Waquoit Bay Reserve’s Land Management Objectives ........................................................................79 Protected Species Management ...........................................................................................................82 ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION ACTIVITIES ...................................................................................................84 LAND ACQUISITION ...................................................................................................................................85 FACILITIES, GROUNDS AND EQUIPMENT ....................................................................................................88 Sustainability .......................................................................................................................................88 CHAPTER 5: IMPROVING OPERATIONS AND STATURE..............................................................92 MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................92 Self-Evaluation .....................................................................................................................................92 Agency Partners ...................................................................................................................................95 Management Agreements .....................................................................................................................98 Advisory Groups ................................................................................................................................100 STAFFING ................................................................................................................................................101 Reserve Staff Roles and Responsibilities ............................................................................................101 Future Staffing Plan ...........................................................................................................................106 Staff Training and Emergency Response ...........................................................................................107

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